Locking device



Patented Jan. 15, 1946 i UN l'iED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCKING DEVICE Ewing L. Sharp, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor, to

Josephson & Sharp Manufacturing 00., Glendale, Calif., a copartnership Application May 12, 1944, Serial No. 5355246 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for interlocking various types of apparatus, but it is primarily intended to lock covers on ammunition boxes and subsequently to lock such boxes in position within receptacles provided for receiving the boxes.

. It is the object of my invention to provide a simple and inexpensive device of the character referred to by means of which such installing and locking operations may be greatly facilitated and expedited. To this end, the invention resides in the combinations illustrated in the appended drawing and hereinafter fully described.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional end view taken substantially through the center of Fig. 1 from left to right; and

Fig. 3 is a detail view, partly in section, of a portion of Fig. 1.

The structure of the invention, in the form illustrated in the drawing comprises a tubular housing I, Within the ends of which a pair of plungers 2 are seated to slide. Because both ends of the device may be and preferably are exactly alike, only one end thereof is described in detail.

A flange 4 extends laterally from the housing,

device embodying the and this flange supports pivots '5, 6, on which I operating levers l, 8 are mounted to swing, These levers terminate at the top in finger pieces, or wings 1 8 for convenience in operating the levers, as will be fully described presently. Rods 3 are rigidly fastened within the plungers 2 and their inner ends are bent to form loops 3 which ride on studs 9 of the levers.

It is noticed that the levers pass through slots of the tubular housing, and that they have suflicient freedom of movement therein to retract the plungers until their outer ends become flush with the ends of the housings or even withdrawn within the housing. Springs ID are placed behind the plungers to maintain the latter normally projected, and it is noticed that the inner ends of these springs abut inwardly directedstops ll of the housing.

A resilient, U-shaped member I5 is fastened to the tops of the pivots 5, 6, and this member extends under the wings of the levers 1, 8. The ends of this extended portion of the member are shown upwardly curved to form stops I5, I 5* to limit outward swinging movement of the levers.

As stated in the preamble to this specification, the device of my invention is primarily designed to lock covers in position on ammunition boxes and subsequently to lock such boxes within receptacles provided for this purpose. In order to describe such combination, I show a cover comprising a flat base I6, from which rise folded end pieces Hi, "5 having perforations 16 for registration with the plungers 2, and also in dotted outline portions of such sheet metal box l'l The side walls of this box are made with perforations for registration with the perforations of the cover and the plungers 2.

The tubular housing is shown made with lugs l I, by means of which it is fastened to the base [6 of the cover. Two such housings are shown mounted on the cover base and so posi-.

tioned thereon that the ends of the plungers ride within the cover perforations. When it is desired both hands and to apply suflicient pressure thereagainst to swing the levers until the ends of the plungers recede within the housings. The cover may then be lowered to cause the folded ends thereof to straddle the box walls and the movement is continued until the perforations of the two parts reach a position of registration, When thereupon the pressure against the wings is relieved, it is found that the plunger ends by the springs ID are forced outward through the perforations until flush or nearly flush with the outer surfaces of the cover ends, thereby to lock the cover in position on the box, substantially as indicated in Fig. 2.

Ammunition boxes, such as herein discussed, are designed for storage and use in airplanes, and receptacles are provided in such planes, within which the boxes are tightly locked in position. Each receptacle is provided with perforations for registration with the alined box and cover perforations, when the box is seated therein. The box is thereupon locked in position within the receptacle by merely depressing the free end of the resilient member l5 until the stops Ili I 5 thereof sink below the bottom edges of the wings, substantially as indicated at 8, 8 at the bottom of Fig. 2. The levers 1, 8 and plungers 2 are in this manner released and by the springs l0 forced outward to cause the ends of the plungers to seat in the perforations of the receptacles and so securely to lock the box in position therein.

I am aware that other, plunger fitted devices have been introduced for similar purposes, but such devices as have come to my notice are slow and cumbersome to operate, principally because each plunger must be separately operated for It may be found advantageous to provide a positive stop for the-downward movement of the member 15. Illustrative of such stop means, a lip l5 is shown punched out of the material thereof and bent downward to contact the flange 4 when the member is depressed. It may also be I claim:

1. In a locking device, a tubular housing. Plungers slidable within the ends of the housing, means for controlling said plungers comprising, a pair of levers pivotally hung on the housing, elements interconnecting said levers with the said plungers, resilient means urging the plungers apart, and a member engaging said levers to'check outward movement of the levers andplungers, the levers being manually operable simultaneously to retract the plungers against the tension of said resilient found advisable to provide openings l through e the plunger housing for insertion of the ends of the studs 9 through the eyes of the plunger rods mer on a center punch applied to the ends of the studs will suifice to rivet the latter securely in position. I

While the structure above described is illustrative of means adapted to such simple, convenient and efiicient operatioml'do not wish to be limited to the precise structural combinations and arrangementsof parts, but reserve the right toembody modifications'within the scope of the claims hereto appended.

It was above stated that the rods 3 are rigidly secured-within the plungers 2 and, while this of course is essential, it is preferable to afford the rods some freedom of oscillation within the :plungers to adjust themselves to the swinging movement of the levers 1, 8. To this end, the rods are shown made with outer loops'3 seated within sldts of the plungers, and pins ll of the plungers serveas ipivots :for the rods.- Because these pins a't all times remain seated within the housings, it is seen that they cannot become dislodged and somaintain the rods firmly in position.

l5 3 into the levers 1, 8. A few light taps of a ham- 7 means, the said member being manually movable to release the levers and plungers for outward movement.

2. In a locking device; a tubular housing, plungers axially-slidable within the ends of said housing, apair of levers pivotally hung on the housing,

elements interconnecting the levers with the -plungers,.resilient means urging the plungers outward, and a resilient plate on the housinglengaging-saidlevers to check'outward movement there.- of, said plate being manually defiectable to release the levers for-outward movement;

3. A-locking device comprising a housing, plungers axially slidable within the ends of said housing, levers hung on the housing, between, said plungers, elements interconnectingsaid'levers and plungers, the levers being' manually operable to draw the plungers inward, resilient means'furging the levers and plungers outward, and aresilient member on the'housing having flanges engaging said levers to check outward movement thereof, said member being'manually depressible to release the levers and plungers for outward movement.

EWING L. SHARP; 

